EVALUATION OF POTTING MEDIA AND WATERING REGIME

ABSTRACT

Soursop is a multipurpose crop of international interest because of its commercial importance and medicinal value. A screen house experiment was conducted to study the effect of different potting media and watering regime on the seedling growth of soursop (Annona muricata L.). The experiment consisted of twelve treatments (top soil, top soil +cow dung, top soil + top soil + cow dung + poultry manure and their different watering regimes; every day, every 3 days, every 5 days and every 7 days). These treatments were arranged in all possible combinations to give 12 treatments and fitted into a completely randomized design (CRD) with 2 replications. Plant growth was assessed through plant height, collar girth, number of leaves, dry weight, fresh weight, root length and root/shoot ratio. Results show that potting media and watering regime had an effect on the plant height, number of leaves, collar girth, dry weight, and fresh weight of the plant but does not affect the on the root length. This study, also indicated that potting media containing top soil, cow dung and watering 3 days gave the best result for growth of soursop seedlings. However, potting media containing top soil and cow dung watered every seven days seemed to suggest better option where water availability and labour for watering pose some constraint or economic limitations It is expected that this finding from this study will enhance the propagation and cultivation of soursop especially now that its nutritional and medicinal values are better appreciated.